Per Mertesacker is entrusted with the job of collecting fines from Arsenal players in breach of club discipline but the German may find himself going cap in hand to manager Arsene Wenger for his place in the team.

Chelsea are hoping to confirm a £62million double deal for Hulk and Eden Hazard.

Chief executive Ron Gourlay announced last week that the club’s triumph in the Champions League had netted them “hundreds of millions”, income which means they can afford to sign quality players in the transfer market.

Intriguingly, today Hazard posted, “I’ve made up my mind,” on his Twitter account. An announcement is expected this afternoon with Chelsea facing stiff opposition from Manchester United, who are desperate to secure his services.

Chelsea, United and City have all agreed to pay £32m for the Belgium international but the Premier League champions appear to be out of the race because he is worried about getting regular first-team football.

Chelsea believe they are favourites, with reports in France suggesting the player has accepted a five-year deal worth around £100,000 a week after tax. Standard Sport revealed Chelsea’s interest in the 21-year-old last summer and that they had sent scouts to watch him on 20 occasions.

Chelsea are conducting their transfer negotiations separately from discussions over the appointment of a permanent manager and plan to talk to Porto again in the next few days over Brazil striker Hulk.

The club want to sign another forward following the departure of Didier Drogba on a free transfer and have made Hulk their main target ahead of Radamel Falcao, Edinson Cavani and Gonzalo Higuain.

The 25-year-old has an £80m release clause in his contract but Porto are willing to negotiate and the two clubs are understood to be getting closer to agreeing a fee. The Portuguese club are demanding £35m, while Chelsea will go as high as £30m.

Hulk, who scored 21 goals in 38 games for Porto this season, scored a brace in Brazil’s 3-1 win against Denmark on Saturday but Chelsea face some competition for his signature, with Juventus also interested. The Serie A club went to see him in action for Brazil and are considering making a bid.